Short-term rental committee presents recommendations; Selectmen plan ordinance drafting

A short-term rental committee presented its work to the Selectmen, providing a PowerPoint that compared regulatory approaches used elsewhere and outlined options for Stonington. Committee members distinguished owner‑occupied and non-owner‑occupied rentals and discussed potential fee structures, registration requirements and enforcement concerns.

Selectmen thanked the committee for the work and directed staff and committee members to begin drafting proposed ordinance language, fee schedules and notice for a public hearing later in the fall. Board members emphasized that year‑round rentals intended for housing would not be unfairly penalized and expressed interest in pursuing a registration and nominal fee structure to balance visitor economy needs with year‑round housing availability.

The Selectmen did not adopt final language at the meeting; they asked for a draft ordinance and recommended public engagement to inform any proposed fee or ordinance changes.